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Bergen op Zoom
part 1
Bergen op Zoom originated during the 13th century. Very soon there are three clusters of buildings to distinguish, which later on forms the town: The "Markiezenhof" (a palatial residence of the marquis of Bergen op Zoom) with its agricultural surroundings, the "Grote Markt" (main marketplace) as the trading centre and the harbour with the "Dubbelstraat" where industry concentrated. This industry mainly existed of salt-making, dye-making and potteries.
The first two clusters got a town-wall about 1330. The still excisting "Lievevrouwepoort" was the western entrance. At the end of the 15th century the harbourdistrict also got enclosed in the townwall. In the middle of the 13th century Bergen op Zoom received her townprivileges. After that the little place grew out to a full size town. It became the center of government of the "Land van Bergen op Zoom" (Western Brabant) which already in 1287 became a separate sovereignty. The Lords granted numerous privileges which let too a prosperous development of the town.
Especially on account of the fairs: the Easterfair and the "Cold Fair" in november the town obtained international reputation. Merchants from different europian countries visited the town. The bloom came to expression by the grandiose enlargements of the "St. Gertrudiskerk" (church), in popular speech called "De Peperbus" (the pepper-box). In 1533 the "town and land" were elevated too a marquisity.
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Due to the expansion of the city of Antwerp the bloom of the town was halted. The marquisity also lost a considerable amount of land because of inundations of the "Ooster- and Westerschelde", by which east "Zuid-Beveland" disappeared into the waves. The little bit of prosperity which was left was wiped out during the 80-year war. Mainly during the long lasting sieges of 1558 (Parma) and 1622 (Spinola).
After the peace of 1648 the function of Bergen op Zoom as a fortress formed the principal factor in the urban life during the next two centuries. Bergen op Zoom which was famous as a very strong and impregnable fortress was in 1747, after a lasting siege, nevertheless overpowered by the french army. During this siege the south-eastern parts of the big church was shot to pieces.
When in 1847 Bergen op Zoom lost its function as a fortress the city at last could expand again. With exception of the "Ravelijn op de Zoom" the fortifications were demolished and the moats filled up. characteristic for the expansion was the construction of the "moats" running parallel with the round form of the old inner city. The military element lost its importance and the industrial functions became the upper hand.
The biggest expansion of the city took place after 1945. The extensive natural beauty in the environs and the cosy atmosphere in the center of the city, where the midieval character remained largely intact, makes Bergen op Zoom for tourism and recreation an important center. The character of the different streets for the greater part is defined by the architecture from past centuries. The "Lievevrouwestraat" and the "Oude Haven" show many examples of 17th and 18th century buildings. In the "Hoogstraat" you still find broad spreaded out houses, which were build after the total distruction in 1747. In the "Koevoetstraat" the synagogue was restorated in 1975. In the "Stationsstraat" you still find sound and late 19th century facades. Also the city-park (Anton van Duinkerkenpark) is very lovely constructed, situated next the still intact bastion "Het Ravelijn".
Fine examples of city-renewal you can find in the "Lindebaan, Zuidzijde Haven, Van Dedemstraat, Bolwerk en Lievevrouwestraat". At the end of the eighties the finishing touch was made to largesclaed projects as the "Markiezenhof" and "St. Gertrudiskerk". In 1990 the former "Heilige Maagdkerk" was transformed to municipal theatre. For our country a unique model how the change the function of a national monument.
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